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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is ironic about the Montaigne essay title, "Of a Monstrous Child?"?
(a) The child talked about is in fact saintly and kind.
(b) Montaigne is in fact arguing that nothing is "monstrous" by nature.
(c) Montaigne is obliquely refer to gluttony, stating that it is born "of a monstrous child."
(d) The "monster" is a man who only behaves like a child.

2. What does a woman's level of attachment to a man depend upon, according to Sei Shonagon?
(a) The way a man smells.
(b) The elegance with which a man talks to the woman.
(c) The quality of gifts the man gives the woman.
(d) The way the man takes his leave of the woman.

3. What attitude does Seneca have toward slaves in "Slaves?"
(a) He believes slaves are dirty, and should not be let into the house.
(b) He believes slaves are clearly inferior to their masters.
(c) He believes slaves are mostly superior to their masters.
(d) He believes masters and slaves are only separated by fortune.

4. What art form is Seneca considered the founder of?
(a) The portrait painting.
(b) The essay.
(c) The play.
(d) The novel.

5. In addition to a personal essayist, what kind of essayist is Samuel Johnson.
(a) Impersonal essayist.
(b) Progressive essayist.
(c) Moral essayist.
(d) Anti-intellectual essayist.

6. What kind of family background did Montaigne come from?
(a) Both his father and mother's families were well-off and prominent.
(b) His mother was rich, but his father came from a poor family.
(c) Montaigne came from a poor background.
(d) His father was rich, but his mother came from a poor family.

7. Which trait BEST describes what others thought of Michel de Montaigne in his youth?
(a) Hard-working.
(b) Lazy.
(c) Austere.
(d) Miserly.

8. What accounts for the lack of structure in Montaigne's writing?
(a) Many of Montaigne's original writings were burned in a fire.
(b) Montaigne follows his thoughts wherever they lead him.
(c) The traditional manner in which academics have structured the papers is nearly nonsensical.
(d) Montaigne constantly goes on tangents in which he expresses his love for his wife.

9. What BEST describes the writing styles of Richard Steele and Joseph Addison?
(a) Both men are spontaneous.
(b) Addison is polished, while Steele is spontaneous.
(c) Both men are polished.
(d) Addison is spontaneous, while Steele is polished.

10. Who is the subject of Chapter 2 in the book?
(a) Michel de Montaigne.
(b) Mark Twain.
(c) Seneca.
(d) Kenko.

11. In "On Noise," what is necessary for a person to ignore the noise of the outside world?
(a) Inner peace.
(b) A goal to concentrate on with singular focus.
(c) Excellent earplugs.
(d) One must venture into the world in order to quiet it.

12. Who wrote "On the Pleasure of Hating"?
(a) Sei Shonagon.
(b) Michel de Montaigne.
(c) William Hazlitt.
(d) Charles Lamb.

13. Why is Plutarch consoling his wife in "Consolation to His Wife?"
(a) Their daughter died.
(b) Her mother died.
(c) Her father died.
(d) Their son died.

14. Abraham Cowley's style is said to reflect what type of person?
(a) The soldier.
(b) The aristocrat.
(c) The lawyer.
(d) The common man.

15. Where does Montaigne retire to study and write?
(a) A flat in Germany.
(b) A boat on the river Seine.
(c) A castle in Scotland.
(d) The family estate.

Short Answer Questions

1. How did Charles Lamb sign many of his essays?

2. Which of the following is NOT a feature of Charles Lamb's writing?

3. Which is NOT one of the essays written by Ou-Yank Hsiu?

4. What reasoning does Plutarch offer in "Consolation to His Wife?"

5. What does Montaigne admit in "Of Books?"

(see the answer keys)

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